What’s new in autism treatment?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro behavioral developmental disability that usually develops in the first two years of life. Individuals with this condition often display restricted communication abilities, limited interests, and repetitive behavioral patterns. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it affects approximately 1 in 59 children in the United States, cutting across boundaries of race and gender. While ASD is a lifelong, challenging disorder, the good news is that different treatment approaches may help affected children and adults improve their communication skills and overall quality of life. 

These ​treatment approaches involve therapies such as:

● Occupational therapy: This includes a number of approaches and therapies that focus on improving and modifying behavior (behavior therapy), treat sensory processing deficits and improve the child’s sensory awareness ( sensory integration therapy) and using the child’s main occupation as a medium to provide therapeutic feedback (Play therapy). It also includes a wide range of activities that focus on improving individual developmental skills like motor skills, communication skills, socio-emotional skills and cognitive skills.

● Speech therapy:​ This includes assistance around communicating with others

— even incorporating non-verbal skills.

In addition, ongoing research shows that with early intervention, stem cell therapy — an advance and upcoming treatment for autism — can be used to alleviate its symptoms. This is because autism has been correlated with neuro-inflammatory cytokines, and the intravenous administration of ​mesenchymal stem cells has shown to decrease levels of inflammation. ​Before we dive in to the details of this treatment for autism, let’s learn more about the therapy:

What is stem cell therapy?

To put it simply, stem cell therapy refers to the treatment of multiple disorders using stem cells that regenerate, repair, and replace damaged tissues. These stem cells can be procured from sources such as the patient’s/donor’s bone marrow or cord blood.

How does stem cell therapy help with autism?

Studies have shown that certain kinds of stem cells can improve the immune system’s regulation and the brain’s neural connectivity. There are different kinds of stem cells that could possibly be used to treat ASD. The Mesenchymal stem cells (from bone marrow ) can improve immune deregulation often correlated with autism.

When it comes to the process involved in treatment, it can be concluded that stem cell treatments on the whole have a basic sequence of events, which goes as follows:

● Step 1:​ Physicians harvest stem cells from the patient.

● Step 2:​ The stem cells are then prepared in the lab under strict conditions.

● Step 3:​ The stem cells are then injected into the patient

Specifically at Plexus — the best place for ​autism treatment in bangalore​ — the

 process involves the following steps:

● Extensive history noting session followed by a thorough physical examination by a panel of consultants

● Detailed blood examination, disease-relevant evaluations to ensure eligibility for stem cell therapy

● Careful stem cell collection from the patient’s bone marrow under local anesthesia the next day

● Selective sample separation and quality check of the samples in the laboratory

● Isolated stem cells are sent back to the hospital for the procedure

● Patient is discharged the same day

● As per treatment protocol, subsequent visits are planned

How does the treatment benefit people with autism?

A study carried out in 2017 by Carpenter illustrated the safety and effectiveness of autologous (​obtaining cells from the patient’s blood, bone marrow, or fat) ​cell transplantation in those affected by ASD. It revealed significant improvements in behavior relating to social functioning and communication abilities, following just one single infusion of autologous stem cells.More specifically, the benefits to patients are as follows:

● Better tolerance for different food and improved digestion

● Improved abilities to maintain eye contact and fix gaze

 ● More appropriate behavior at home and outside i.e. less hyperactivity and aggression

● Reduced fear of loud noises, strangers, and bright colors

● Improved verbal communication skills i.e. if the child was non-verbal, they are

likely to start making sounds, produce syllables, and eventually pronounce words

● Better development or improvement of writing skills

● Increased attention span and concentration

● Improved sleep patterns

Early intervention can help an individual with autism. The earlier, the better.

Future of stem cell therapy

Research around regenerative rehabilitation for autism is continuing in India and across the world. And Plexus — the best neuro and stem cell research center for ​autism treatment in Bangalore​ — provides a new ray of hope to individuals with this condition. With a focus on safety and autologous stem cell therapy, we ensure zero adverse effects and a smooth journey throughout the treatment process.